European Pilot Selection & Training

What European Pilot Selection & Training does

European Pilot Selection & Training (EPST) is a Dutch private aviation training organization founded in 1997 and headquartered in Utrecht, Netherlands. EPST runs a 16-20 month EASA ATPL(A) Integrated airline pilot training program in partnership with three international flight schools: Global Aviation in Megara, Greece; OSM Aviation Academy in Arendal, Norway; and Aero Locarno (AELO) in Switzerland. Tuition for the integrated program ranges from €110,500 to €117,500 all-inclusive. The company also operates a 3-phase pilot selection process (COMPASS test, psychometric and technical assessments, simulator grading, group activities, and interview) at its Utrecht facility, with Boeing 737NG and Airbus A320 full-motion simulators used for both selection and training.

EPST's revenue model is built on four streams: (1) one-time integrated training tuition bundled with accommodation, transport, study materials, and exam fees; (2) professional services revenue from the COMPASS selection test offered to prospective students and licensed globally to airlines and training organizations; (3) a 6-week APS/MCC course conducted in Utrecht that prepares graduates for airline operations; and (4) ancillary revenue from B2B selection services, simulator rentals, and a 6-8 week Flight Instructor Course. The company targets two primary customer segments: individual aspiring commercial pilots who pay out-of-pocket (financed in some cases through House of Pilots), and B2B airline/training-organization clients who license the COMPASS test for candidate screening. The company also engages secondary audiences including HBO Aviation students via a streaming partnership with Hogeschool van Amsterdam, and study counselors through education fair appearances.

The company is led by Director Eric Duijkers, with Head of Training John van Limburg Stirum (former Transavia), Selection Team Lead Willem de Vries, and Chief Flight Instructor Jacir Soares de Brito. EPST holds 11-50 employees, EASA ATPL(A) Integrated certification, and memberships in IAAPS and the Dutch Aviation Group. It maintains active marketing channels including the epst.nl website, social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), Mailchimp newsletter, twice-monthly information evenings in Utrecht, presence at Dutch education fairs (Onderwijsbeurs, Career Experience, BiOND), and Bronze sponsorship of the WATS World Aviation Training Summit.

Name

European Pilot Selection & Training

Legal name

European Pilot Selection & Training

Website

https://epst.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

European Pilot Selection & Training (EPST) is a Dutch EASA-certified aviation training organization that delivers integrated 16-20 month ab-initio pilot training programs and licenses its proprietary COMPASS aptitude test to airlines and training organizations worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Training Services

NAICS

Flight Training (611512), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

Keywords

• Pilot selection services
• Airline pilot training
• EASA ATPL training
• Flight simulator training
• Pilot aptitude testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Utrecht

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Integrated Pilot Training Programs: Full-time integrated pilot training programs lasting 16-20 months, leading to EASA ATPL(A) Integrated certificate. Programs include theory, practical flight training, accommodation, transport, and MCC/JOC follow-up training.
2. Selection Testing Services: COMPASS test and other selection assessments. Phase 2 and 3 combined cost €300. Medical examination at Aeromedical Expert Center approximately €425 excl. VAT.
3. B2B Selection Services: COMPASS test offered to airlines and training organizations worldwide for pilot candidate assessment.
4. Simulator Access (Post-graduation): Graduated students can continue training on Boeing 737 FNPT II simulator free of charge to maintain flight skills.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

European Pilot Selection & Training (EPST) is a Dutch aviation training organization that provides integrated pilot selection and airline pilot training programs leading to EASA ATPL(A) certification. The company combines a proprietary COMPASS aptitude test with a 16–20 month integrated training curriculum delivered in partnership with established flight schools. It also offers standalone simulator, APS/MCC, and flight instructor courses, and licenses its COMPASS selection test to airlines and training organizations worldwide.

Product overview

European Pilot Selection & Training (EPST) is a Dutch flight training organization offering an integrated pilot training program that prepares students for careers as commercial airline pilots. The core offering is a comprehensive EASA-approved 16-20 month training program conducted at three partner flight schools (Global Aviation in Greece, OSM Aviation Academy in Norway, and Aero Locarno in Switzerland), supplemented by APS/MCC training and simulator facilities in Utrecht. EPST also provides proprietary COMPASS pilot aptitude testing services to airlines worldwide, along with B2B selection services, flight instructor courses, and recurrent simulator training on Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 full motion simulators.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Integrated Pilot Training Program
• COMPASS Selection Test
• Selection Services for Airlines (B2B)
• Boeing 737 Simulator Training
• Airbus A320 Simulator Training
• APS/MCC Course
• Flight Instructor Course (FIC)

Quantifiable outcome

• 16-20 months training to commercial pilot license
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• OSM Aviation AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEPST partners with OSM Aviation Academy in Arendal, Norway as one of three training locations. OSM provides flight training facilities and accommodation for EPST students. Training at Gullknapp Airport includes theory at ground school and practical flight training.
• Global AviationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEPST partners with Global Aviation in Megara, Greece as one of three training locations. Students receive accommodation in Megara or Nea Peramos. Flight training at Megara Airport.
• Aero Locarno (AELO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEPST partners with Aero Locarno (AELO) in Switzerland as one of three training locations. Students are housed in AELO Residence with double rooms. Flight training at Locarno Airport.
• House of PilotssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerHouse of Pilots offers unique financing/work trajectory for EPST pilot training. Provides advisory conversations for students on financing options. Also co-organized Friends of Aviation networking event.
• Hogeschool van Amsterdam (HvA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for HBO Aviation study program with special streaming pathway to EPST pilot training. Students who complete year 2 can transfer to pilot training through EPST partnership.
• IAAPS (International Association of Aviation Personnel Schools)supportingOthersEPST is a member of IAAPS, an organization focused on improving and supporting aviation education and training. IAAPS facilitates knowledge sharing, sets quality standards, and develops guidelines for aviation schools worldwide.
• Dutch Aviation GroupsupportingOthersEPST is a member of Dutch Aviation Group, an industry association for Dutch aviation organizations.
• Aeromedical Expert CentersupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMedical examination center for pilot candidates in Bosschenhoofd. Conducts EASA-standard medical assessments required for pilot training. Costs approximately €425 excl. VAT.
• Schellinger TrainingsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSelection training provider offering preparation courses for pilot selection assessments in the Netherlands. Helps candidates prepare for COMPASS test and other selection components.
• PilotenpraatminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAviation podcast hosted by pilots Geert Doek and Bart Buitenhuis. Co-organized live podcast event at Friends of Aviation gathering.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• OSM Aviation Academy: Operating training partner to EPST in Norway/USA; runs its own integrated ATPL programs and competes for similar European cadet cohorts, making it both a partner and a direct competitive comparator.
• Global Aviation: Greek flight school that delivers EPST's integrated training in Megara; also recruits its own cadet pilots, so it is a direct regional peer in the ab-initio training market.
• Airways Aviation: Multi-base European integrated ATPL training group with operations in Spain, Portugal, and the UK; competes for the same aspiring pilot customer segment and offers similar selection-and-training pathways.
• BAA Training: European integrated ATPL training provider with multiple locations and partnerships with airlines; offers similar ab-initio integrated ATPL and selection services, including cadet programmes to major carriers.
• Aero Locarno (AELO): Swiss flight school hosting EPST's Swiss integrated ATPL cohort; comparable in offering EASA-aligned integrated training with bundled accommodation and similar target customer profile.

Regional players

• Egnatia Aviation: Greek-based integrated ATPL training provider; comparable in operating model (EASA integrated program, multicultural student mix) and competes in the same Southern European training footprint.
• Flight Training Europe (FTE): Spain-based integrated ATPL training organization; comparable in offering EASA integrated programs for international cadets and competes for European country-specific selection pipelines.

Broad incumbents

• FlightSafety International: Major pilot training and simulation provider offering ab-initio through type-rating programs; comparable in offering full-motion simulator training and B2B selection/training services to airlines.
• CAE: Global leader in aviation training with pilot academies and training centres worldwide; directly comparable EASA-aligned integrated ATPL programs and cadet selection services, but at much larger scale and broader portfolio.
• Lufthansa Aviation Training: European aviation training subsidiary of Lufthansa Group; provides integrated ATPL, type rating, and recurrent training, serving as a broader incumbent with airline-aligned pilot pipelines.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/EPST.nl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/european-pilot-selection-&-training
• Instagraminstagram.com/epst_pilot_training
• Xx.com/epstbv

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about European Pilot Selection & Training